How Modern Governments Shape Narrative with Targeted Propaganda

Governments worldwide are increasingly leveraging technology to influence public perception and policy through propaganda. With roots tracing back to World War I, this practice has evolved significantly, adapting to advancements in media and communication. The United States was a pioneer in formal propaganda efforts with the establishment of the Committee on Public Information (CPI) in 1917, which utilized diverse platforms such as newspapers, films, and public speeches to garner support for the war. This marked a shift towards organized federal involvement in shaping public attitudes, laying the groundwork for a complex relationship between media and state power.

The evolution of propaganda did not cease with the end of World War I. After World War II, influence campaigns became entrenched in the U.S. defense strategy. The Department of Defense (DoD) characterized psychological operations as planned efforts to disseminate selected information to foreign audiences, aiming to influence their emotions and behavior. This approach was later encapsulated in DoD Directive 3600.01, which outlined the integrated use of multiple tools to affect adversary decision-making while safeguarding U.S. interests.

The post-9/11 landscape revealed the extent to which perception management had become a staple of governmental strategy. Investigations, such as those detailed in the Washington Post’s Afghanistan Papers, uncovered a dissonance between public statements from senior officials and the reality on the ground. Officials projected optimism while privately acknowledging failures and manipulated metrics. This strategy often prioritized narrative control over genuine transparency, creating feedback loops where the narrative dictated policy rather than reflecting actual events.

Global Adoption of Propaganda Techniques

The United States is not alone in employing sophisticated propaganda strategies. Nations like Russia have also modernized their influence campaigns. The Internet Research Agency has been at the forefront, using fabricated social media personas and targeted emotional content to sway public opinion. The bipartisan report from the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee highlighted the extensive reach and tactics employed by Russian operatives during the 2016 election cycle, illustrating a significant shift from traditional broadcasting to algorithm-driven influence.

A notable recent development involves Israeli-linked public relations contractors utilizing geofencing to deliver targeted political messaging to congregants at U.S. churches. According to filings under the Foreign Agent Registration Act, the initiative known as Show Faith by Works aims to geo-target major churches in states including California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado during worship times. The proposal outlines efforts to track attendees and continuously target them with political advertisements, demonstrating a new level of precision in messaging. For instance, Arizona filings confirmed that 38 churches were specifically identified for this campaign.

In Texas, investigations revealed over 200 churches targeted for similar political outreach. The campaign’s strategic focus on geofencing marks a shift in how political messaging is delivered, moving from broad demographic categories to specific geographic locations during key moments of community engagement.

Influencers and Algorithmic Messaging

Alongside geofencing, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has initiated a large-scale influencer campaign aimed at reaching younger audiences. Invoices submitted to the Department of Justice indicate that Bridges Partners billed nearly $900,000 for a campaign involving 14 to 18 social media influencers tasked with creating a substantial volume of content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Compensation for these posts ranged from $6,100 to $7,300 each, effectively blending state messaging with what appears to be personal, authentic testimonies.

Show Faith by Works plans to further this strategy by engaging Christian influencers who resonate with youth audiences. This approach integrates paid influencers into a broader narrative ecosystem, where government-aligned messages can be disseminated under the guise of personal endorsement.

The overarching theme across these developments is the transition from overt propaganda to subtle, algorithm-driven influence. Traditional methods, such as Cold War leafleting, have evolved into targeted social media personas. Broadcast radio has been replaced by geofenced digital outreach, while press conferences have transformed into monetized influencer posts. Whether through Russian digital campaigns or Israeli church-targeting strategies, the underlying principle remains: manipulate the informational environment to make political messaging feel like an integral part of daily life.

The implications of these practices are profound. Propaganda operates most effectively when it remains undetected, seamlessly integrated into the platforms people rely on for news and community engagement. Although the techniques employed have shifted, the objective remains consistent: control the narrative to shape the political realities that arise around it.